The-Westing-Game

== =//The Westing Game// Activity= by Cassie Lawson

Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with the opportunity to become immersed in the novel by playing a character. They will develop an understanding of the character's relationship with others and the character's motivations.

Time Required
Twenty to sixty minutes, depending on number of participants.

Number of Participants
Minimum = 4 Maximum = 16 Ideal = 6

Supplies Needed
Name tags, pens, index cards for individuals about their character.

Preparation
Create the name tags and index cards for the players.

Introduction
You are each a resident of Sunset Towers, a newly opened condominium on Lake Michigan. You have recently been summoned to a reading of the will of local millionaire and recluse Sam Westing. According to the will, one of your fellow residents is responsible for taking the life of Mr. Westing. It is your job to figure out who the guilty party is to win his $200 million inheritance. You will talk with your fellow residents / heirs to try to decide who seems the most guilty.

Process
1) Facilitator assigns roles for each player and distributes name tags. 2) Facilitator reads introduction paragraph to players and then distributes individual character information cards. 3) Players will mingle with another and discuss the will, inheritance, and who may be the murderer. (approx. 15-25 minutes) 4) After each player has talked with one another, debrief and discuss who may be the guilty party.

Debrief
-What were motivations for the other heirs to kill Mr. Westing? -Which heirs had personal connections to Mr. Westing? -Which heirs had opportunity to kill Mr. Westing? -Who do you think is the murderer?

Credits
EDTEC 670 Dewey Academy role playing game and Ellen Raskin's //The Westing Game//.